Registration scheme lures thousands of EU workers

Around 91,000 people from eight of the EU's accession states have signed up to the new worker registration scheme registered, according to figures released today.

The Home Office revealed that up to 45% of that number had been working illegally prior to the May 1 sign on date.

The Home Secretary hailed the scheme for persuading foreign workers to regularise their status and pay taxes.

David Blunkett said that the influx of labour had filled gaps in industries such as hospitality and agriculture, and contributed to the UK overall productivity

The Home Secretary said that migration had to be coupled with a continued drive against illegal working through tightening the UK's border controls, stepping up enforcement activity and removals, and targeting employers who exploit their workforce.

The government said that it would be bringing in a new offence to prevent unscrupulous employers from holding their workers to ransom by holding onto their documents. A multi-agency team will also be created to drive forward enforcement action against these employers.

Mr Blunkett said: "Illegal workers have legitimised their status and are contributing to the economy, benefiting from protection in the workplace and allowing us to focus resources on other forms of illegal working.

"This contrasts with some other countries who are unable to prevent free movement and have faced greater difficulties in tackling illegal working since May. We have always said that these new EU citizens are welcome to come here and work and contribute but not to claim benefits. Today's evidence shows that this policy has worked."

Citizens from accession states represent around one-in-300 workers in the UK, but between May and September they contributed approximately £120 million to UK GDP and paid approximately £20 million in tax and national insurance, according to the Home Office.

TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, said: "Far from sponging as some claimed, workers from the new Europe are propping up the economy in large parts of rural and small town Britain."

(gmcg/sp)